Grand Soul Story

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 28 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Grand Soul Story Game Cover
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"Grand Soul Story" is a nonlinear JRPG set in the troubled city-state of DuPont, where you must navigate competing factions and make difficult choices to reach your family in Yerdan. With a deep combat system, original score, and hand-crafted NPC interactions, this game offers a character-driven journey filled with exploration and meaningful decisions, leading to multiple endings. Created by solo-developer Jeremy Reineck, it provides an old-school challenge and immersive experience for players.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 28 reviews
story17 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game features a compelling story with well-developed characters and meaningful choices that impact the narrative.
  • The soundtrack is exceptional, enhancing the atmosphere and emotional depth of the game.
  • Exploration is rewarding, with a richly crafted world that feels alive and immersive.
  • There are game-breaking bugs, particularly a progression halting issue in the Red Temple that has not been resolved despite prior acknowledgment from the developers.
  • The difficulty spikes significantly in the early game, which can lead to frustration, especially for players unfamiliar with the genre.
  • Combat can feel tedious and unbalanced, requiring excessive use of consumable items to progress, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.
  • story41 mentions

    The story in the game is highly praised for its depth, character development, and engaging narrative, with players appreciating the political themes and the ability to influence character fates through choices. The non-linear storytelling and modular quest design allow for a rich exploration of personal backstories, while the blend of gritty and whimsical elements keeps the experience balanced. Overall, the game offers a unique and immersive narrative that resonates well with fans of JRPGs and indie titles alike.

    • “Excellent game with great character development, a good story, and rewarding exploration; choices matter.”
    • “The story is engaging, especially with the personal backgrounds and quests with your companions.”
    • “Gritty and emotional story, but also with a lot of RPG wackiness along the way so it doesn't get too heavy.”
    • “There is a bit of Matrix and, I guess, Xenogears, and one of the endings (the true ending for how it is presented) kind of wipes out everything you think about the story.”
    • “I have no idea what Billie's deal is, and the Dumonde quest was bugged for me, and I couldn't see its conclusion.”
    • “The story is very dense and told in a non-linear way.”
  • music15 mentions

    The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising the soundtrack as one of the most enjoyable in the JRPG genre. It effectively complements the game's aesthetics and atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience with its immersive and nostalgic qualities. While some noted moments of repetitiveness, the majority found the music to be a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.

    • “The art style is beautiful and the music really sets the tone for the area you are in.”
    • “The musical score is just awesome and fits the game's general aesthetics and atmosphere.”
    • “What really sets it apart are the immersive environments and the incredible soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is neither good nor bad; it fits some moments, but it starts to become kind of repetitive mid-game.”
    • “The music in this game?”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay features traditional RPGMaker mechanics, including turn-based combat and skill acquisition through leveling up, complemented by a well-crafted world and engaging writing. While the graphics utilize RPGMaker assets and some AI-generated visuals, they are visually appealing and enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack and map design further elevate the gameplay, making it a compelling choice for fans of indie games with strong storytelling.

    • “The soundtrack perfectly complemented the gameplay, and the art style alongside the map design truly stood out.”
    • “Exploration and combat gameplay: pretty traditional RPG Maker stuff, turn-based and skills only learned by leveling up.”
    • “To the point where you are encouraged to maintain that party member's sobriety through gameplay mechanics as well.”
    • “If you're into indie games that pack a punch in storytelling and gameplay, definitely give this one a go!”
  • graphics6 mentions

    The graphics feature a blend of RPG Maker assets and some AI-generated elements, resulting in a visually appealing art style that enhances the game's atmosphere. While the pixel art and map design are praised for their beauty, some players find the character animations distracting and feel that the combat visuals could better match the overall aesthetic.

    • “The art style is beautiful and the music really sets the tone for the area you are in.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly complemented the gameplay, and the art style alongside the map design truly stood out.”
    • “Aesthetically, the pixel art is nice, but the idle/breathing animations applied to each character are clearly some sort of effect and can be incredibly distracting.”
    • “The graphics are the same as the gameplay, using RPG Maker assets and some AI-generated ones, but they look good.”
    • “However, the combat system and combat visuals could be more aligned with the wonderfully crafted world.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highlighted by its solid pixel art, diverse and fitting musical score, and a unique blend of gritty cyberpunk elements. Players appreciate the engaging environments and storyline, which incorporate darker themes and thought-provoking choices, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere is immersive and contributes significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “Solid pixel art, nice music, and the gritty cyberpunk atmosphere kept my interest all the way through.”
    • “The musical score is just awesome and fits the game's general aesthetics and atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is a lot of fun to interact with, including some of the darker elements such as references to addiction and some choices which, while not perhaps important for how the game ends, do have interesting commentary on choice nonetheless.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of godhood while maintaining strong character attachments. Reviewers appreciate the balance between a gritty, emotional story and lighthearted RPG elements, which prevent the experience from becoming overly heavy.

    • “I get the 'god trying what being god means', but you can do that without vanquishing the emotional attachment to the characters.”
    • “Gritty and emotional story, but also with a lot of RPG wackiness along the way so it doesn't get too heavy.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players note that while the game presents a challenging experience in the initial hours, grinding is not a central mechanic, and success relies more on prioritizing equipment upgrades rather than repetitive tasks. Some users felt stuck at certain points, but overall, grinding is not emphasized as a key strategy.

    • “The game is challenging in the first five or six hours, especially in the old city where I completed almost everything. Grinding isn't really a focus here, and I only felt stuck a couple of times. Prioritizing equipment is essential.”
    • “Grinding is not a significant aspect of this game, which makes it frustrating when you hit a wall. The difficulty spikes can be tough, especially if you're used to grinding in other games.”
    • “I spent a lot of time in the old city, and while I enjoyed the challenge, the lack of grinding options made it feel like I was missing out on character progression.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The game features excellent character development, complemented by a compelling story and meaningful choices that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate how their decisions impact the narrative and character growth, making exploration feel rewarding.

    • “Excellent game with great character development, a good story, and rewarding exploration; choices matter.”
    • “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with the characters.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful and meaningful.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The game's humor is well-executed, striking a balance between being amusing without veering into silliness, resulting in several laugh-out-loud moments that enhance the overall experience.

    • “The humor sprinkled throughout the game is spot on -- it's not too silly, and just surprising enough for some laugh-out-loud moments.”
    • “The witty dialogue and clever puns kept me chuckling throughout my playthrough.”
    • “I love how the game balances humor with its storyline, making even the serious moments feel light-hearted.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization has been noted as lacking, particularly on platforms like the Steam Deck, where performance issues may arise, potentially influenced by Proton. While some players may not find these issues bothersome, those seeking a more polished experience might struggle to fully enjoy the game.

    • “The game runs smoothly on my Steam Deck, and while I'm not sure if Proton affects performance, I find it enjoyable without any extra polish.”
    • “The optimization is impressive, allowing for a seamless experience even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “I appreciate how well the game is optimized; it maintains a steady frame rate and responsive controls throughout.”
    • “I'm on Steam Deck; not sure if Proton plays a role in the performance issues. It doesn't bother me at all, but if you need extra polish to enjoy a game, this will probably be hard for you.”
    • “The game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering, which detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “Despite its potential, the lack of proper optimization makes it nearly unplayable on lower-end hardware, leaving many players frustrated.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game has been reported to have some stability issues, with users noting that it is "a bit buggy."

    • “The game is a bit buggy.”
    • “There are frequent crashes that disrupt gameplay.”
    • “I encountered several glitches that affected my experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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